By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
A Kentucky high school teacher was reprimanded by her district this week for writing a politically charged statement on the class whiteboard.
South Laurel County High School teacher Kendra Baker wrote, 'You can't be a democrat and go to heaven' during a classroom discussion about politics after the elections. The comment was reportedly made by a student, but Baker apparently agreed with it enough to put it on the board for everyone to see.
A student in the class snapped a picture of it and sent it to both the school board and the local paper the Sentinel-Echo. 'It should not be in the classroom at all,' said Mary Gilbert, mother of senior Chelsea Gilbert, told LEX18. 'What happened, should not have happened...You don't send them to school to have someone else's opinions shoved down their throats and demand they agree with it. It's appalling. It's wrong.'
Gilbert said her daughter tried to defend students in the class, but was shouted down and bullied by the other students as well as being bullied by Kendra Baker. Chelsea Gilbert has refused to return to high school, opting to be home schooled instead.
After investigating, district officials found Baker was in violation of a district policy mandating teachers maintain positive learning environments of mutual respect. Superintendent Doug Bennett said Baker had been reprimanded but would continue to teach. Baker has been a teacher for 17 years. 'Our focus and mission is to do what's best for our students, and teachers are expected to exercise reasonable and prudent judgement,' Bennet said.
Pics of the teacher:
Pic of the mom
